Hello All,
Have been off forum for a long while, but getting ready all the same. Devouring websites looking for gear....
Margaret thanks for the site re the alberques--will come in handy; appreciated.
Looking to fly out to Biarritz around the 19th of September and start from SJPDP within two days. Have resolved sleeping bag issue with a lifeventure downlight 660, (668 grams) already treated for bedbugs, mozzies and bacteria. Here in the UK this sleepingbag is under £90. If the weather is warm will use it as a pad with a silk liner.
Backpacks: Have settled on the Osprey Talon 33L one of their lightest in this litre size.
Shoes are still confounding me, or more to the point the reams of info on the forum re shoes! However, St Jacques is always helping: went into an outdoor gear shop other day and one of the guys had walked the camino from SJPDP to Santiago this last April. He had used heavy duty hiking boots and said he wouldn't do the same again, but use a hiking shoe and not even ankle support one.
He said the only places the ankle support is helpful is first couple of days coming down from SJPDP to Roncesvalles/Pamploma, and then later in one area. This has me rethinking the whole shoe thing.
I picked up a couple of merino wool tops base layers and this chap said they were fantastic, as they don't need to be washed for a few days. He thought one of those and a fleece would be fine. Am taking a rain jacket or possibly ordering one of the
Altus ponchos to pick up in SJPDP at the start.
Getting VERY excited, but glad things are coming together. Am tempted to take an old pair of timberland boots (really old), as they know my feet very well and I know them and how they move/react very well. Still time to chew on it. Pretty sure they want to go on this trip though. (!)
To all you other Sept/Oct folks: hope your plans are all coming together well, and hope to cross paths in a few weeks (!!!!) time!
Blessings to all,
Francesca